Royal Observer Corps
Founded in 1925 to identify enemy aircraft, the Royal Observer Corps places its own emblem, instead of the Air Force roundels, in the fly of the Royal Air Force ensign. Its central device, encircled with a wreath of laurel and surmounted by the royal crown, represents an Elizabethan coast-watcher holding up a torch, and it includes the motto "Forewarned is Forearmed."

Air Training Corps

by Dean Thomas

The badge of the Air Training Corps, similarly placed in the fly of the Royal Air Force ensign, depicts a soaring falcon and places the Corps motto 'Venture Adventure' below it and an astral crown above.

Ocean Weather Ships
The badge of the Ocean Weather Ships displays the Royal Air Force eagle against the sun rising over the sea; this emblem, however, appears not on the Royal Air Force ensign but on the Blue Ensign.

Does anyone know if these services are still in existence and if these are still their flags?

Dave Martucci, 6 December 1997

The Royal Observer Corps was stood down in 1994. It had been disbanded and revived once before, but I doubt it will be revived again this side of warfare threatening Britain directly. After World War II, its original purpose of identifying overflying enemy aircraft became incidental to a new role of monitoring fallout levels and radiation hazards in the event of nuclear war. It was a civilian-staffed volunteer reserve organisation and there was once a network of ROC bunkers and observation posts across the country.

The Air Training Corps still exists and, whilst is no longer officially the cadet arm of the Royal Air Force, it remains affiliated to the Royal Air Force and I believe its members, junior and adult, still wear RAF-style uniforms.

Roy Stilling, 6 December 1997

There seem to have been three versions of the Royal Observer Corps badge:
1. Tudor crown and gold wreath;
2. St Edward's crown and a green wreath;
3. Tudor crown and a green wreath.

In 1993, when the Ocean Weather Ships were down to one ship (called "Cumulus" I think), the lettering on the badge was changed, without authorisation, from 'Weather Ship' to 'Weather Service'. I don't know if it's still operating.

David Prothero, 7 December 1997

A little while ago we discussed variants of the British Royal Air Force ensign and the question was posed as to whether they are still in use. Well, I finally had cause to talk to a colleague at work who is a former Royal Observer Corps (ROC) member and is now a leader in the Air Training Corps (ATC), which is a cadet organisation for young people who are considering a career in the Royal Air Force.

Firstly, Neville told me that the ATC ensign, which is a standard British ensign but with an "air-force blue" (i.e. sky blue) field bearing the ATC badge of a hawk in flight in the usual centre-of-the-fly position, is still very much in use and that in fact he marched behind it in a parade in Romsey (a town a few miles from here) last Sunday.

Secondly, he advised me of the status of the ROC Ensign which is again an air-force blue ensign bearing a fly badge. The ROC badge includes an Elizabethan fire-watcher - these were the men who looked out for the Spanish Armada in 1588 and lit beacon fires to alert the Royal Navy of its approach.) This flag remains an official British flag as the ROC still exists - although only on paper at the present time.

Neville also mentioned that the Royal Observer Corps Association, which is the grouping for former ROC members, has ceremonial flags of its own. The national ensign of the Association is "almost identical" to the ROC Ensign. Unfortunately I did not have time to ask in what way it differs, but I would be willing to bet it probably follows the practice of other ex-servicemen's association flags such as those of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association by having a much more nearly square field, rather than the 1:2 of most British flags. Neville also mentioned that area branches of the ROC Association parade behind dark blue flags bearing the firewatcher emblem in silver.

Roy Stilling, 11 February 1998

Some extracts about flags from Air Ministry Orders.

Distinguishing Flags and Lamps were introduced by AMO 782/18 on 2 August 1918.
The flags, for use by day, were the same as the present flags, the lamps, for use by night, were square.
Air Vice Marshall. Dark Blue, over Light Blue, over Red.
Air Commodore. Dark Blue over Red.
Group Captain. Dark Blue to left of Red.
Wing Commander. Dark Blue over Red. Tilted to make a diamond shape.
Squadron Leader. Dark Blue.

AMO 10/20. Use of White Ensign. A22216. 1 January 1920.
1. The use of the White ensign is reserved exclusively for H.M.Ships. The White ensign is not to be flown at any Royal Air Force station or by any Royal Air Force unit.
2. The question of a special ensign for the Royal Air Force is still under consideration.

AMO 600/20. Signal Flags etc.. for Marine Craft. 154352/20. 1 July 1920.
For 50 foot Motor Boats and Power Driven Lighters.
International and Naval Code. No.6 size. Nos. 601 to 669. One Set.
Flags, Union. 3 breadth. 1.5 yards by 0.75 yards. One.

Seems surprising to include a Union Flag.

AMO 1130/20. R.A.F.Ensign.
Paras 1 - 3. Detail how it should be flown, and on what sort of flag staff. Para 4. Royal Air Force Ensign is to be hoisted daily at the Headquarters of the force, Headquarters of area and independent commands, from airships, and at stations and units given in the appendix to this Order.

Since it mentions airships, but not marine craft, it was presumably not used at sea at that time.

AMO 599/48. Designation of Royal Air Force Marine Craft. A909870/47/S7(a). 22 July 1948.
1. H.M. the King has approved the designation His Majesty's Air Force Vessel, for all ocean-going ships and sea-going craft of the 68 foot launch class commanded by a RAF officer and manned by RAF personnel in uniform.
2. This designation is to be used whenever reference is made to such vessels in official publications, correspondence etc.
3. His Majesty's Air Force Vessels will fly the RAF ensign in accordance with King's Regulations article 156(9).

David Prothero, 11 December 2003